When you imagine your dream day of fishing, you may well picture sunshine and clear, sparkling water. However, we all know that bodies of water don’t always look as idyllic as that! Often, lakes will be cloudy and, although some people think this makes it easier to catch carp, it can actually be more difficult to fish in these conditions because the carp will be on high alert. Don’t give up just yet though! You can still have a successful experience when fishing in muddy water, you just need to keep some  key things in mind.

Remember the regular spots If you’ve been to this particular lake before, a simple tip is to remember the successful spots in your past angling adventures! Maybe even keep a record of your day so that you know for the future. Carp still have their regular haunts and preferred feeding spots, regardless of the condition of the water. If it’s a new spot, you might want to spend a bit of time figuring out what works, but when you think you’ve found a hotspot you should stick to it.

Target green areas Carp will be attracted to lily beds, overhanging trees and other green areas of the lake because of the potential food supply, so it’s a good idea to focus on these natural areas to locate your carp. You might want to arrive early to secure a good spot, however, because your fellow anglers will most likely also be aiming for these hotspots around the lake when fishing in muddy water!

Choose bottom baits In cloudy and murky water, a bottom bait is going to be far more effective than a pop-up. This is because the carp will search for food along the lake bed in these conditions, rather than venturing to the surface, so you are far more likely to find them in deeper waters.

Use oily baits Your instinct might be to go for a brightly coloured boilie in order to attract carp but in actual fact, you need to think about smell rather than colour. In murky waters, carp rely heavily on their sense of smell, therefore more potent baits work very well. A good tip is to use baits which are high in oil, such as hemp, as this will help to attract carp when you are fishing in muddy water. You could always make your own boilies to maximise the oil content.

Boilies are probably the most widely used bait for carp fishing. However, the keen anglers among us can end up spending quite a lot of cash on boilies, and we might not always be able to get the exact flavour or colour that we want. If you’ve been wondering how to make boilies for carp fishing, our step-by-step guide below will help you out.

Why should you make your own boilies?

It’s cost-effective – Although boilies may not seem like an expensive item compared to rods, you do go through a lot of them if you’re a keen angler. If you get into the habit of creating your own boilies, it could save you a lot of money in the long run.

It’s fun to experiment with different flavours – One of the best things about making your own boilies is that you can control exactly what goes into them! Try out different colours and flavours when you’re carp fishing and you may even discover a winning formula.

It’s much easier than you think – You might think that making boilies is difficult or time-consuming but it’s actually really quick and simple! Once you’ve got used to the basic process, you can create them in no time.

The rod is an essential part of every angling experience and whether or not you have a successful day of fishing can really depend on the rod you use. This guide to the best carp rods should help you make an informed decision – whether you’re a newcomer to the sport or just in need of an upgrade!

Daiwa Black Widow G50

This carp fishing rod is very popular and that’s because it’s high quality as well as being great value for money. It’s one of the best carp rods out there because it offers both power and distance as well as being very lightweight which makes for a more comfortable angling experience. The Black Widow is a rod that will suit everyone – from beginners to those more experienced anglers.

Shimano Tribal TX1

This is another rod which is great value for money – perfect for the anglers who want to own a quality, high-performance rod but don’t want to spend a huge amount. It allows you to cast at a good distance and it feels sturdy and long-lasting. It has an attractive and timeless design which will suit both the more traditional angler and those who want something a bit stylish.

If you are just starting out on your carp fishing journey, it all might seem a bit daunting at first. What equipment should you use? When should you fish? What is the best way to secure a catch? Read on to discover our top carp fishing tips for beginners.

Choose the right hook

The first among our carp fishing tips involves choosing your hook. The hook you pick will depend on the size of carp you’re looking to catch and where you want to fish (i.e in weedy areas or in places with rocks and gravel). Make sure you take into account the thickness and overall size of the hook before you buy! It’s a good idea to get a few different hooks in your repertoire so that you can pick accordingly. And, read reviews before you make a purchase!

Have different boilies to hand

If you stick with the same type of boilie, you can really limit yourself in terms of attracting carp to your bait. They come in all different shapes, sizes, colours and flavours which will all appeal to different carp so it’s good to have a range. You might think that having loads of boilies is expensive but you can even make your own.

Some people think that carp fishing can only be successful at certain times of the year. However, if you’ve got luck on your side, the best weather conditions for carp fishing can happen all year round! Below, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you have the best fishing experience in every season.

Spring
The spring months are a great time for carp fishing, especially if you want to catch big fish. It’s been suggested that April has the best weather conditions for carp fishing in France, so if you’re looking to plan a carp fishing holiday then this might be the best time of year to do it! The weather is getting warmer in the springtime, and the carp are just waking up, so it’s a perfect time for finding carp. The trick to finding carp in the spring is to watch for bubbles, clouding in the water and signs of movement. Weather-wise, it can still be a bit cold in the wind, so your best bet would be to find a sheltered area of water.